Ezekiel 46:16

KJV

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it [shall be] their possession by inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; If the prince {H5387} give {H5414} a gift {H4979} unto any {H376} of his sons {H1121}, the inheritance {H5159} thereof shall be his sons {H1121}'; it shall be their possession {H272} by inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Adonai ELOHIM says this: 'If the prince turns over part of his hereditary property to one of his sons, it is his inheritance; it will belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons as an inheritance, it will belong to his descendants. It will become their property by inheritance.

American Standard Version

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, it is his inheritance, it shall belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 46:16 establishes a divine ordinance within the visionary temple economy, detailing the secure and permanent transfer of property when the prince bestows a gift upon any of his sons. This decree ensures that such gifts become an irrevocable inheritance and possession for the prince's direct male descendants, thereby guaranteeing the stability and continuity of their lineage's holdings within the divinely ordered community. This specific regulation underscores the meticulous justice and orderly structure that will characterize God's future kingdom, reinforcing the principle of secure, lasting ownership for the prince's family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the latter part of Ezekiel's grand vision of a new temple and its associated regulations, detailed in chapters [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the Temple")-48. Specifically, chapter 46 outlines the precise ordinances concerning the prince's offerings, his access protocols within the temple courts, and various aspects of worship and administration. Following earlier instructions on the gates and sacrificial procedures, Ezekiel 46:16-18 focuses on the prince's personal property and inheritance rights. This particular section meticulously distinguishes between gifts the prince gives to his sons, which are permanent, and those given to his servants, which are temporary. This distinction is crucial for maintaining equity and preventing the prince's personal provisions from encroaching upon the people's designated inheritances, a recurring concern addressed throughout prophetic literature regarding just leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel's visionary blueprint, delivered during the Babylonian exile, provided a hopeful and detailed framework for a future, idealized Israelite society centered around a meticulously ordered temple. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, inheritance laws were paramount, serving as the bedrock for social stability, family continuity, and economic well-being. Land and property were typically passed down through the male lineage to ensure the perpetuation of the family name and its economic base. The "prince" (Hebrew: *nâsîy'*) in Ezekiel's vision is not depicted as a conventional monarch but rather as a divinely appointed administrative and spiritual leader, distinct from the priestly line. His role is to facilitate worship, provide offerings, and maintain order strictly according to God's precise instructions, reflecting a theocratic ideal where even the prerogatives of leadership are meticulously subjected to divine law, thereby preventing the abuses of power that characterized earlier Israelite monarchies.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 46:16 significantly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive in the book of Ezekiel. Foremost among these is **Divine Order and Justice**, as the meticulous details concerning the prince's gifts and their permanent inheritance reflect God's unwavering desire for a perfectly ordered and equitable society, where property rights are clearly defined and protected by divine decree. This visionary order stands in stark contrast to the chaos, injustice, and corruption that ultimately led to Israel's exile, emphasizing God's commitment to righteousness in the restored community. Another crucial theme is **Inheritance and Possession**, highlighting the permanence and security of what is divinely bestowed. Much like the land was originally divided by inheritance among the tribes of Israel in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Division of the Land by Lot"), this verse underscores the enduring nature of property rights within God's decreed system for the future. Lastly, the **Role of the Prince** is meticulously elaborated, portraying him not as an absolute ruler but as a steward operating under God's supreme authority, whose actions—even in personal matters like giving gifts—are rigorously regulated by divine law to ensure the well-being and stability of the entire community. This emphasis on divinely regulated leadership serves as a powerful counterpoint to the failures of past kings, ensuring that the future leadership would operate strictly within God's perfect design, aligning with the broader vision of the new covenant in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prince (Hebrew, _nâsîy'_):** This term refers to "an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist; captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour." In Ezekiel's temple vision, the *nâsîy'* is a unique and divinely appointed figure, distinct from the high priest and the common people. He holds a significant administrative and leadership role, responsible for providing offerings and ensuring the proper functioning of the temple services, but his authority is clearly circumscribed by divine law, specifically designed to prevent the abuses of power seen in previous monarchies. His designation as "prince" rather than "king" suggests a more limited, divinely appointed authority within the future theocratic state.
* **gift (Hebrew, _mattânâh'_):** Meaning "a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe; gift." In this context, it denotes a voluntary bestowal from the prince to his sons. The surrounding verses and the broader context clarify that this is a legitimate and permissible transfer of property, not a bribe or an illicit offering. It is explicitly distinguished from the temporary provisions given to servants, emphasizing its enduring and permanent nature when given to the prince's direct descendants.
* **inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** This word signifies "properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion; heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession." Its repetition within the verse and its pairing with "possession" strongly emphasize the permanent, legally recognized, and generational transfer of ownership. It highlights that what the prince gives to his sons is not a temporary loan or allocation, but a permanent patrimony, securing their future within the divinely established order and ensuring the continuity of their family's holdings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons,"**: This authoritative opening phrase, "Thus saith the Lord GOD," asserts the divine origin and binding nature of the pronouncement, indicating that this is a direct ordinance or command from God Himself. It sets forth the hypothetical condition: the prince, acting in his administrative and leadership capacity, bestows a gift upon one of his direct male descendants. The phrase "unto any of his sons" implies that this rule applies universally to all legitimate male heirs of the prince, ensuring fairness and consistency within the prince's family line regarding property transfer.
* **"the inheritance thereof shall be his sons';"**: This clause immediately declares the direct and permanent consequence of the prince's gift: it instantly transforms into an irrevocable inheritance for the recipient son. The possessive "his sons'" emphatically conveys that the ownership is firmly and perpetually vested in the son, not merely held in trust or allocated temporarily. This establishes a clear legal and theological principle of lasting possession and secure transfer within the divinely ordained system.
* **"it [shall be] their possession by inheritance."**: This concluding phrase powerfully reiterates and reinforces the permanence and legal basis of the transfer. The use of "possession" (Hebrew: *ʼăchuzzâh*, signifying something seized, held, or owned) combined with "by inheritance" (Hebrew: *nachălâh*, emphasizing patrimony or an heirloom) underscores that the gift is not just a temporary allocation but a secure, enduring, and legally recognized holding passed down through the family line. The emphatic repetition serves to highlight the inviolable and unchangeable nature of this divine decree regarding property rights.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 46:16 employs several literary devices to convey its message with utmost clarity, authority, and emphasis. The most prominent is **Legal Language**, characterized by its prescriptive tone and definitive statements such as "shall be" and "their possession." This precise and unambiguous phrasing underscores the divine origin and binding nature of the ordinance, mirroring the meticulous legal codes found throughout the Pentateuch and emphasizing the certainty of God's decrees. **Repetition** is also a key device, particularly with the terms "sons" and "inheritance," and the overarching concept of "possession." This reiteration serves to powerfully emphasize the permanence and security of the transfer, ensuring that there is absolutely no ambiguity regarding the lasting nature of the gift and its status as an enduring patrimony. Furthermore, the verse functions as a direct **Divine Decree**, introduced by the authoritative formula "Thus saith the Lord GOD." This opening immediately elevates the pronouncement from a mere suggestion or human regulation to an inviolable law, reflecting God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous control over the future temple and its administration, ensuring perfect order and justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 46:16, with its profound emphasis on secure and permanent inheritance, resonates deeply with the broader biblical understanding of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenants and His people. Just as the land of Canaan was promised to Abraham and his descendants as an eternal inheritance, and meticulously divided among the tribes of Israel as a perpetual possession, this verse reinforces the principle that God's provisions and decrees are unchangeable and eternally binding. It speaks to the divine order that ensures stability and justice, not only in the physical realm of property and land but also, by extension, in the spiritual realm of blessings and promises. The meticulousness of this earthly regulation concerning the prince's gifts foreshadows the even greater security and permanence of God's spiritual promises to His children, highlighting His character as a God who gives enduring gifts and establishes permanent, unbreakable covenants.

* [Numbers 27:7](/numbers/27-7 "Numbers 27:7 - Inheritance for Daughters")
* [Psalm 16:6](/psalm/16-6 "Psalm 16:6 - Pleasant Places and Goodly Heritage")
* [Proverbs 19:14](/proverbs/19-14 "Proverbs 19:14 - A Prudent Wife is from the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 46:16 offers a profound spiritual lesson for believers today, transcending its immediate context within a visionary temple. The meticulousness with which God establishes the permanence of the prince's gifts to his sons reflects His own immutable character of unwavering faithfulness and the eternal security of His promises to us. Just as those earthly gifts were guaranteed possessions, so too are the spiritual blessings and the inheritance we receive in Christ. This verse profoundly encourages us to trust in the steadfastness of God's covenants and His divine order, knowing that what He bestows upon His children is not fleeting or temporary but eternally secure. It serves as a powerful reminder that our salvation, our adoption into His family, and our future hope are not temporary allocations but guaranteed, perpetual possessions, reflecting the unchangeable nature of God's boundless love and grace. This truth should inspire within us a deep and abiding sense of gratitude, confidence, and peace, knowing that our spiritual inheritance is truly imperishable, undefiled, and will never fade away.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on "inheritance" in this verse deepen your understanding of God's faithfulness in securing lasting blessings for His people?**
* **In what specific ways does the permanence of the prince's gifts to his sons reflect the eternal security and unchangeable nature of your spiritual inheritance in Christ?**
* **What practical implications does God's meticulous attention to order and justice, even in matters of property and lineage, have for how you live out your faith and manage your own resources today?**

### FAQ
**Who is the 'prince' in Ezekiel's vision, and why are his gifts to his sons emphasized as permanent?**

Answer: The "prince" (Hebrew: *nâsîy'*) in Ezekiel's extensive temple vision (chapters [Ezekiel 40](/ezekiel/40 "Ezekiel 40 - The Vision of the Temple")-48) is a unique and pivotal figure, distinct from the high priest and the common people. He is not a king in the traditional monarchical sense, but rather a divinely appointed administrative and spiritual leader within the restored community. His divinely ordained role is to oversee the temple's functions, provide offerings for the people, and ensure the proper administration of justice, but always under God's ultimate authority. His gifts to his sons are emphatically stated as permanent possessions to establish clear, divinely sanctioned property rights and ensure stability within the new, idealized order. This permanence stands in stark contrast to gifts given to servants, which are explicitly stated to be temporary, reverting to the prince in the year of liberty ([Ezekiel 46:17](/ezekiel/46-17 "Ezekiel 46:17 - Prince's Gifts to Servants")). This distinction is crucial; it ensures that the prince's actions do not arbitrarily diminish or infringe upon the people's designated inheritances or lead to the kind of oppression and injustice seen in past monarchies (e.g., King Ahab's seizure of Naboth's vineyard in [1 Kings 21](/1_kings/21 "1 Kings 21 - Naboth's Vineyard")). Ultimately, it highlights God's desire for a stable, just, and perfectly ordered society where inheritance is secure, clearly defined, and protected by divine law, thereby preventing future disputes and upholding equity for all.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 46:16, with its profound focus on the secure and permanent inheritance given by the earthly prince to his sons, finds its ultimate and most magnificent fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Prince of Peace. While the earthly prince's gifts were limited to his biological sons and material possessions, Christ, as the [only begotten Son of God](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God so loved the world"), bestows an imperishable spiritual inheritance upon all who are adopted as [sons and daughters of God through faith in Him](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Sons of God through Faith"). Just as the prince’s gifts became the "possession by inheritance" for his sons, so too do believers receive an [inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and fades not away, reserved in heaven](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance"). Christ, who is the [heir of all things](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things") and through whom the worlds were made, graciously shares His divine patrimony with us, making us [co-heirs with Him](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ") in His glory. The permanence of the earthly gift in Ezekiel powerfully foreshadows the eternal security of our salvation and the spiritual blessings that are irrevocably ours through Christ's finished work on the cross, sealed by the [Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed with the Holy Spirit"). Thus, Ezekiel 46:16 points forward to the magnificent truth that in Christ, we receive an inheritance far greater, more enduring, and infinitely more precious than any earthly possession, secured by the ultimate Prince who reigns forevermore.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 21:3

And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he [was] the firstborn.

Galatians 4:7

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 8:29

¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Luke 10:42

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Genesis 25:5

And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

Genesis 25:6

But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.